Dehydration happens when the body does not have sufficient fluids to properly function. This could lead to blood clots, seizures, and possible fatal conditions. According to various studies, mild dehydration can already affect mood and energy in an unhealthy way.
Doctors and health professionals put hydration at the top of their list of health advice. After all, a lot of signs of dehydration are not as overt and obvious, except for thirst and fatigue.
Unexpected signs of dehydration include the following:
Bad Breath
Dehydration prevents the body from producing saliva, which has natural antibacterial properties. According to John Higgins, MD, if there is not enough saliva produced in the mouth, there can be bacteria overgrowth, which results to bad breath. Higgins is an associate professor of cardiovascular medicine at the University of Texas in Houston and chief of cardiology at Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital.
Headaches
Higgins explains that the entire brain rests in a fluid sack to prevent itself from bumping against the skull. If water in this sack is not sufficient and running low, the brain pushes itself up against the skull. This is a cause of headaches.
Craving Sweets
Being dehydrated makes it hard for a number of nutrients and organs, like the liver, to release glycogens and other components for energy. This results to food cravings, particularly sweet treats. An easy remedy for this would be to grab a snack with high water content, said health columnist Johannah Sakimura. Fruits and vegetables have naturally high water content, helping you stay hydrated.
Dry Skin
Dehydration makes you quite dizzy due to low blood volume, which also affects the skin. Higgins notes that dry skin means not evaporating as well, which can result to the flushing of the skin. Dehydration also occurs during colder seasons and climates, so it is vital for everyone to hydrate regularly.
